by Lewis Ambrose

Karim Benzema rumours will undoubtedly float around for the rest of the summer, but it has the feeling of a deal that could happen.

I have mentioned on numerous occasions that Arsenal don’t need a striker, and thus dismissed links with the likes of Alexandre Lacazette.

Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sánchez, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck is and should be enough. A striker isn’t needed unless a big upgrade comes along. Well, Benzema would be that.

The Real Madrid man’s place in the team at the Bernabeu is under threat with Rafa Benitez coming in as manager and Arsène Wenger would surely make a move if Benzema became available, just the way he signed Mesut Özil two summers ago.

According to the reliable El Confidencial Benzema could be up for grabs. Arsenal Twitter fan favourite Kike Marin has reported that Benitez has been told by president Florentino Perez that he must get the best out of Gareth Bale by any means necessary. That could even mean putting Cristiano Ronaldo’s nose out of joint.

As a result Benitez is planning to use Bale centrally, as well as considering Ronaldo down the middle. So where does that leave traditional (and former first choice) number nine Karim Benzema? Available, probably.

Marin reports that Benzema is not the type of striker that Benitez likes as he isn’t explosive, and the new manager already has a number of plans for that position which do not involve the Frenchman. Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is though to be watching closely and has already allegedly attempted to make contact with Benzema to sound him out about moving to London.

Meanwhile Mundo Deportivo have written about Tancredi Palmeri’s claim that Arsenal have made a €45M (£30M) offer for Benzema already, the Italian also said that Real Madrid are willing to negotiate.

The Italian is not reliable, to say the least. However the odds seem to be stacking up in Arsenal’s favour. Karim Benzema looks increasingly likely to become available this summer. If he does, expect Arsenal to make a strong move for him.